Meet Our New CEO — An Interview with Mike DeSimone

Posted by Amanda McLaughlin on Apr 16, 2024

It’s been a busy start to 2024 here at NewStore with successful showings at NRF: Retail’s Big Show, EuroCIS, and Shoptalk Las Vegas. Additionally, we launched the 10th edition of the Omnichannel Leadership Report, welcomed Ben Hoskins as our new Chief Technology Officer, and expanded our portfolio of enterprise customers to include awesome brands like White Stuff.

Building on that momentum, we are excited to bring on a new CEO, Mike DeSimone. With a wealth of experience in scaling commerce technology organizations, Mike is ideally positioned to leverage the strengths of our team and platform as we focus on innovation and growth. Meanwhile, our Founder, Stephan Schambach, will continue as Chairman of the Board, guiding the company’s evolution in line with his vision to simplify omnichannel for retailers.

Our Chief Marketing Officer, Phil Granof, spoke with Mike so we could get to know him and his initial thoughts about NewStore. Read below for more on his leadership style, his point-of-view on the state of retail, and some fun facts.

Phil: Can you describe how your leadership style influences team dynamics and decision-making in a tech-oriented environment like NewStore?

Mike: At the heart of it, transparency, clarity, and the ability to collaborate stand out as the pillars of my leadership style. These are particularly important in the tech world, where you encounter all sorts of brilliant minds who can sometimes struggle with teamwork.

But it’s about more than just working together; it’s about being open and inclusive. Establishing clarity is critical, knowing who’s responsible for what, ensuring everyone is aligned. When it’s time to make a decision, I believe it’s crucial to make a call and move forward, rather than let indecision hold us back. I’d rather make a bad decision and recover quickly than not make a decision at all.

At NewStore, it’s all about aligning with our overarching goal of adding value. I’m a big believer in innovation, but it’s got to be purposeful, not just innovation for its own sake. We need to ensure we are strategic about where we decide to use our energy and resources, focusing on what will have the greatest impact. My leadership style is about steering us toward those priorities, making sure we’re investing wisely, and keeping our eyes on the prize. If innovation is what will drive us forward, then that’s where we’ll focus, full throttle ahead.

Phil: How will you cultivate a collaborative and idea-driven culture at NewStore and what initiatives do you have planned as the new CEO to connect with the team?

Mike: I like to take a very open approach that values getting a lot of input, and fostering a culture where good ideas can and do come from anywhere. I believe making sure everyone feels heard and valued is how we get the best out of ourselves and our teams. That’s the kind of workplace where innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s how we operate day in and day out.

I’ve set myself a bit of a challenge in terms of connecting with the team. I plan to meet every single person in the company personally within my first 60 days. No small feat, right? But it’s super important. It gives me a real feel for our corporate personality and lets everyone get to know me, beyond just the ‘new CEO’ label. This isn’t just about putting faces to names; it’s about building trust, understanding, and establishing that shared vision.

Think of it this way: I’m here to listen, learn, and lead us forward, but not from an ivory tower. I’m in the trenches with the team, ready to roll up my sleeves. We’re going to keep this environment one where everyone can thrive, where their voice matters, and where we’re all pushing towards the same goal.

Phil: What are the top two or three qualities of the best employee in a company run by Mike DeSimone?

Mike: If you’re asking about the kind of folks who really thrive in a business that I lead, I’d boil it down to three things: curiosity, energy, and openness. First up, curiosity. I’m talking about that drive to dig deeper, to always be asking ‘what if’ and ‘why not.’ It’s about not just facing challenges but getting excited to unravel them, to innovate, and to push boundaries. That’s the fuel for our fire here.

Next, energy. I’m all about that positive vibe, the kind that lights up a room and gets everyone else pumped. It’s contagious, right? When you’re enthusiastic about what you’re doing, it shows, and it spreads. That kind of energy is a cornerstone of our culture, making our workspace not just productive but a place where people want to be.

And then there’s openness, especially when it comes to being wrong. This one’s big for me. It’s about having the humility and flexibility to pivot when someone else comes up with a better angle or solution – or when the data shows us that something just didn’t work the way we thought it would. It’s about being adaptable, recognizing that the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone, and having the wisdom to embrace it.

These three qualities define the best of the best in our team, and they’re what I believe will drive us forward, keep us innovative, and make sure we’re always ready to tackle whatever comes our way.

“The way we shop, and buy is changing. The whole process is getting disaggregated. Consumers do their research online first, then decide where to buy. It’s all about offering the most straightforward, intuitive, and convenient buying experiences. Because at the end of the day, if you have what the customer wants, when they want it, you’re the winner.”
Mike DeSimone, CEO, NewStore

Phil: What has been most interesting for you in the last 5 years of retail, and what should retailers keep in mind about the next five years?

Mike: Reflecting on the past five years in retail, what’s really got me buzzing is how omnichannel strategies have taken center stage. When the pandemic hit, it was a wake-up call for a lot of retailers who hadn’t embraced omnichannel yet. Suddenly, being able to order online and pick up in-store or handle seamless returns weren’t just nice-to-haves; they were essential. And the shift is not just about responding to a crisis. It’s about aligning with how consumers want to shop now, offering them the convenience and flexibility they’ve come to expect.

Looking forward, I’m thinking about what retail’s up against in the next five years. The way we shop, and buy is changing. The whole process is getting disaggregated. Consumers do their research online first, then decide where to buy. It’s all about offering the most straightforward, intuitive, and convenient buying experiences. Because at the end of the day, if you have what the customer wants, when they want it, you’re the winner.

But there are bigger waves on the horizon, too. We’re talking about shifts in how people live and work, changes in the political climate, all that stuff. And these aren’t just blips; they’re shaping how and where people spend their money. Retailers need to stay on their toes, be resilient, and keep flexing those omnichannel muscles. Because no matter what the next few years throw at us, being able to meet your customers where they are, with what they need, is going to be the key to staying ahead.

Phil: In what ways do you believe NewStore differentiates itself from the competitive retail technology sector?

Mike: First and foremost, it’s the clip at which we create sustained value for our customers. It’s a crowded marketplace and there are many paths a retailer can take to omnichannel, but our approach to modern commerce cannot be replicated or copied. Now more than ever, retailers need to see the benefits of their tech investments across their stores, associates, and consumers as quickly as possible, and our global unified commerce platform delivers.

More specifically, our innovation is a huge differentiator – that’s our home turf. Adapting, evolving, pioneering – that’s where you’ll find us, making technology moves that not only respond to the market but help to dictate its direction. This is our arena, and we have proven ourselves able to always stay a step (or three) ahead.

Next is our strategic vision, which Stephan has set, and which I will shepherd forward as we enter our next stage of growth. We are dead set on aligning with what the market’s going to need next, not just what it wants now. We’re talking about smart, savvy investments that hit the mark and are innate for us, whereas others would need to invest significant time, expertise, and capital to move in the right direction.

Culture is also a core ingredient in our secret sauce. We cultivate an environment where curiosity thrives, energy abounds, and collaboration is in our DNA. This isn’t just about creating a great place to work; it’s about fueling our innovation engine, making sure our team is primed to tackle whatever comes next, together.

And let’s not forget about being customer centric. This is where we truly stand out. We’re solving the nitty-gritty problems retailers face each day by keeping our ear to the ground and truly understanding our clients. We’re not just a vendor; we’re partners in their success.

Phil: Now, the fun stuff. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

Mike: I’ve been fortunate to have a few amazing mentors in my professional career, so picking just one is kind of tough. When it comes to what it takes to build a business from a very early stage, one that comes to mind is to “Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” While it may sound a bit like a throwaway platitude, it helped me navigate the inevitable setbacks and challenges companies like ours encounter. It may be even more applicable when things are going really well, as a reminder to keep some balance in our lives so we don’t burn out spending all our waking hours either working or thinking about work.

Phil: What does your ideal weekend look like?

Mike: As someone who discovered a passion for tennis later in life, my ideal weekend revolves around the sport. I love the challenge it presents and the way it pushes me both physically and mentally. For me, it’s not just about playing the game, it’s about continuous learning and improvement and the joy that comes with it. Off the court, I’d spend the rest of the weekend hanging out with my family. My ideal weekend finds a balance between intense, fulfilling activities and quality time with the people I cherish most.

Phil: If you could play a tennis match with any player in history, who would it be and why?

Mike: I think it’d have to be Billie Jean King who has done (and continues to do) so much for women’s tennis and tennis in general. To me, she exemplifies many traits I admire. As a leader, she strikes the difficult balance of being both fearless and inclusive. In her playing career she wasn’t afraid to take chances – notably accepting the challenge from and then beating Bobby Riggs in the “battle of the sexes” match back in the 1970s. After her tennis career ended she has stayed active and involved in a number of important issues – approaching all of it with grace, humility, and the same fearlessness she showed as a player.

Billie is 80 years old now and I am 100% sure she would still destroy me on the court, but hopefully I’d learn a few things along the way.

For more on Mike’s appointment to CEO, read the press release. If you’re interested in learning how NewStore can help your brand accelerate its digital transformation, speak with one of our experts today.